Integrable nanocomposite sensors for online process monitoring
Topic(s) : Manufacturing
Co-authors :
Cindy LE ROY (FRANCE), Loli GEORGELIN , Edouard CHEGUILLAUME , Goulven PARADIS , Frank SOBEL (FRANCE), Jean-François FELLERAbstract :
Complex composite parts are experiencing a growing trend in various sectors such as aviation, naval, defence, automotive, civil engineering or energies. Thus it becomes crucial to monitor their manufacturing parameters to optimize, finely tune production in real time and monitor their damages in use to prevent permanent/dramatic failures. SENSE in®, a company specialized in nanocomposites sensors, offers innovative solutions for Process Health Monitoring (PHM) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for composite materials. SENSE in® has specific skills and know-how in designing, manufacturing, integrating and acquiring/analysing data from its sensors. The company has a broad expertise in electronics and electronic components required to operate these innovative solutions, acquire and analyse the collected data.
Several manufacturing techniques are well established for composites parts such as RTM, C-RTM, AFP, infusion, prepreg… Due to the increase in use of wet processes, SENSE in® is developing PHM solutions more specifically for these processes with two kinds of sensors:
•The fQRS (Quantum Resistive Flux Sensor) which allows the detection of the resin flow front during infusion or injection.
•The tQRS (Quantum Resistive Temperature Sensor) which can monitor the temperature during all stages of the processes: from the mold pre-heating step up to the curing stage.
These integrable PHM sensors enable the monitoring of the resin flow distribution thanks to the fQRS sensors. This can allow real-time/online adjustment of process parameters to better control wet processes like one-shot vacuum infusion or RTM. Moreover, they guarantee part curing homogeneity thanks to temperature sensors (tQRS) placed at critical locations. A direct added value of these monitoring solutions is a time and effort reduction required for process setup, post-production inspections and feed available digital twins.
These piezo-resistive sensors are innovative/patented nanocomposites transducers deposited onto a ply of ultrathin epoxy-based thermoset composite. Their electrical resistances are recorded during the process thanks to the SENSE in® proprietary data acquisition system and software. Sensors can be located on the surface or embedded into the laminate. Several sensors can be placed on a same ultrathin composite tape to facilitate/fasten their integration.
SENSE in ‘s fQRS shows good reactivity and sensitivity with several resins such as epoxy-based or acrylic-based resins during vacuum infusion process at room temperature or high temperature (120°C). For tQRS, the knowledge of its thermal coefficient (%/°C) allows us to convert the resistive response (%) into degree (°C) and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
The presentation will describe in more details the main technical characteristics of the sensors and present some representative examples of the use fQRS and tQRS to monitor wet-processes.
Several manufacturing techniques are well established for composites parts such as RTM, C-RTM, AFP, infusion, prepreg… Due to the increase in use of wet processes, SENSE in® is developing PHM solutions more specifically for these processes with two kinds of sensors:
•The fQRS (Quantum Resistive Flux Sensor) which allows the detection of the resin flow front during infusion or injection.
•The tQRS (Quantum Resistive Temperature Sensor) which can monitor the temperature during all stages of the processes: from the mold pre-heating step up to the curing stage.
These integrable PHM sensors enable the monitoring of the resin flow distribution thanks to the fQRS sensors. This can allow real-time/online adjustment of process parameters to better control wet processes like one-shot vacuum infusion or RTM. Moreover, they guarantee part curing homogeneity thanks to temperature sensors (tQRS) placed at critical locations. A direct added value of these monitoring solutions is a time and effort reduction required for process setup, post-production inspections and feed available digital twins.
These piezo-resistive sensors are innovative/patented nanocomposites transducers deposited onto a ply of ultrathin epoxy-based thermoset composite. Their electrical resistances are recorded during the process thanks to the SENSE in® proprietary data acquisition system and software. Sensors can be located on the surface or embedded into the laminate. Several sensors can be placed on a same ultrathin composite tape to facilitate/fasten their integration.
SENSE in ‘s fQRS shows good reactivity and sensitivity with several resins such as epoxy-based or acrylic-based resins during vacuum infusion process at room temperature or high temperature (120°C). For tQRS, the knowledge of its thermal coefficient (%/°C) allows us to convert the resistive response (%) into degree (°C) and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
The presentation will describe in more details the main technical characteristics of the sensors and present some representative examples of the use fQRS and tQRS to monitor wet-processes.